In Alexander Pope's "Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot," why is 'beer' used in ''a parson much bemus'd in beer"?

Question

In 1735, Alexander Pope wrote *Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot.* There is a line "a parson much bemus'd in beer." What has **beer** to do with it? I came across this in [Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bemuse):\n >In 1735, British poet Alexander Pope lamented, in rhyme, being besieged by "a parson much bemus'd in beer." The cleric in question was apparently one of a horde of would-be poets who plagued Pope with requests that he read their verses. Pope meant that the parson had found his muse—his inspiration—in beer. First of all **whose inspiration** did the parson find? How did **beer** became a source of inspiration? What does it mean in this context? Were they having drinks while reading their verses? I am bemused by the use of **beer**.

Answer 1

Hi Imelda,

I will clarify this for you, but first let me state that the manner in which words are used change (sometimes drastically) over time. In this case, Pope is speaking about a cleric who really likes to drink beer. This cleric is part of a "horde" of people who have been trying to get Pope to read their poetry as they desire his approval. Basically he's complaining about a parson who drinks a lot of beer and seems to think it inspires him, possibly hinting that the man is an alcoholic. The parson was trying to find his own writing inspiration through beer, and was sending his verses to Pope in hope of getting Pope's approval. Pope used the word "bemused in beer" to state that this parson drank a lot, but today we would probably use different terminology for this.

-Andrew